Madame Bovary
by Gustave Flaubert

Madame Bovary: Foil 1 key example

Part 3, Chapter 11
Explanation and Analysis—Bovary and Homais:

The two primary families featured in the novel, the Bovarys and the Homaises, act as narrative foils to each other, centered primarily on their differing gender dynamics. The parallels between Monsieur Homais and Emma Bovary and Madame Homais and Charles Bovary highlight the contrast between the two families. Monsieur Homais and Emma are both ambitious and often foolish in their bourgeoisie tendencies, but Homais has the means to achieve his lofty goals, such as receiving the Legion of Honour, due to the freedom his position as a man allows him. In contrast, Emma’s ambitions and frivolity lead to her and her family’s downfall.